Travel ban could cost Filipinos their Afghan jobs

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippine government, which bans citizens from traveling to or working in Afghanistan, said Friday it would review the security situation in the war-torn country after Filipino workers already there pleaded with the government to lift the restriction.

Although the travel ban is likely to remain in place to prevent more people from going to Afghanistan, the review raises the possibility that thousands of Filipinos already there will be allowed to stay. Manila offered such a hybrid solution for Filipinos in Iraq.

An estimated 2,500 to 4,000 Filipinos work in Afghanistan despite their government's 2005 ban, most of them employed in military bases …

'Racial profiling' controversy at Cabrini-Green

The controversy over a memo requiring officers to make at least four arrests in the Cabrini-Green complex to meet arrest quotas has stirred up mixed emotions by residents and activists.

"That's crazy," said a resident who requested his name be withheld.

"They are giving the police a reason to harass and arrest folks for nothing."

According to earlier reports, Lt. Michael Fitzgerald, head of the Public Housing Unit North Squad distributed two memos back in January. The first memo gave specific arrest amounts along with policing standards. The second memo was basically the same, but without the arrest quotas.

A spokesperson from the Chicago Police Department …

Thailand to review decision to break patents on cancer drugs

Thailand's new government will review its predecessor's decision to ignore patents on several cancer-fighting drugs, a move that allowed cheaper generic versions to be imported and manufactured, a government statement said Saturday.

On Jan. 4, less than a month before leaving office, the government of former Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont issued so-called "compulsory licenses" for four anti-cancer drugs, effectively depriving the drugs' license holders of patent protection in Thailand.

The object of compulsory licensing was to make some drugs more affordable by taking away the patent holder's ability to control the drug's price, a benefit of …

Tax Court rules against Palatine company

WASHINGTON--In a precedent-setting ruling, the U.S. Tax Courtfound Square D Co. of Palatine couldn't deduct accrued foreigninterest until it was paid.

Judge Joseph Gale's opinion, affirmed by nine other tax courtjudges, reverses an earlier tax court decision that allowed companiesto deduct unpaid interest as it was accrued. Six tax court judgesdissented.

The majority opinion, written by Gale, said the tax court findingin an earlier case involving Tate & Lyle Inc. of Wilmington, Del.,was being overturned because the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals inPhiladelphia reversed its ruling allowing the deductions of unpaidinterest.

"We think the decision is wrong," …

Athletes, passing and George Rekers

"Many people are less vocal about their feelings for murderers, child rapists and drug pushers, than they are about their dislike for gay persons. I pay taxes, I work, I contribute to my society, and yet everyone thinks they have a right to tell me what I do in my bedroom is illegal and quote scriptures. Last time I checked, adultery and fornication were just as wrong, but we don't go around quoting scriptures to men who have two and three girlfriends. ... People would prefer a son who was out every night romancing and ruining young girls. Apparently that's less of a sin than being in a monogamous relationship with a life partner of the same sex. "

- Jody Seymour (not his real …

Cascading failures followed airline engine blowout

WASHINGTON — An engine blowout on a Qantas jet earlier this month damaged the left wing, slicing electric and hydraulic cables and starting a cascade of system failures.

The pilots were inundated with 54 computer messages alerting them of systems that had failed or were close to giving out.

Richard Woodward, vice president of the Australian and International Pilots …

source: Billy Joel's daughter took pills in NYC

Alexa Ray Joel, the daughter of pop star Billy Joel and supermodel Christie Brinkley, was hospitalized after taking eight pills at her Manhattan apartment, a law enforcement official said Saturday.

A friend frantically called 911 shortly after noon Saturday from the singer's Greenwich Village apartment saying Joel, 23, had taken several pills, the official told The Associated Press. Joel took eight pills, though officials didn't know what kind she had ingested, an official said; it wasn't clear whether she had accidentally overdosed or attempted suicide, the official said.

The official wasn't authorized to publicly disclose the matter and spoke to the AP on …